Kenyan President William Ruto called on South Sudan’s political leaders to pursue dialogue and consensus ahead of the country’s general elections scheduled for December 22, 2026.
Ruto made the appeal after meeting South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit at State House in Nairobi on October 5, 2026. He pledged Kenya’s support for the electoral preparations.
South Sudan’s elections are intended to end a transitional period that has been repeatedly extended since the country gained independence in 2011.
Kiir dissolved the transitional unity government and national legislature on September 22, 2026, before appointing a caretaker administration. The decision followed amendments to the electoral law that removed some conditions previously required before the polls.
Kiir’s office said the country had completed the necessary legal processes, while logistical and financial preparations were continuing. Political parties were also engaged in talks to reach consensus on election-related issues.
The two Presidents agreed that credible, inclusive and transparent elections would be essential to regional peace and security. They also discussed expanding trade and investment, reducing charges on containers destined for South Sudan and operationalising a dry port allocated to the country in Naivasha.